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“Schizophrenia: Medicine’s Mystery, Society’s Shame”

by Marvin Ross
Excerpt contributed by Bridgeross Communications Publishing

Written by a medical writer after his son developed schizophrenia, the book is the author’s explanation of this disease and its treatments in order to provide help and understanding to other families.

The book outlines issues involved with schizophrenia and its treatment including stigma, history, causes, physiological changes in the brain, and treatments.  It is a resource  for family members and others interested in this disease.  It can also be a source of supplementary reading for students in health care fields including medicine and nursing, psychology, social work and occupations requiring basic information on the condition.

This is an excerpt:

INTRODUCTION
(*abridged)

“Schizophrenia is an enigma. Far too often it completely destroys the lives of those it attacks along with the lives of their loved ones. It can also destroy lives of innocent bystanders and police. But, even though it’s cause is not really understood and it’s treatments are less than perfect, victims of this disease can be helped and they can lead better lives than many presently do.

Because the cause is not known or understood very well, it is a medical mystery. However, it is a disease that is very stigmatized. Many of its sufferers are condemned to living on the streets or in jail. It is also a disease about which so much misinformation is dispensed. Why else would so many people (and particularly those in the media and the entertainment world) feel that it is acceptable to belittle the sufferers of this disease and make fun of them or, worse, to portray them inaccurately and to demean them? That is society’s shame.

It is bad enough to suffer from a debilitating chronic disease or to have a loved one who does but it is even worse to have to hide the existence of that problem from friends, family and strangers because of societal ignorance and stigma. And many do hide.*

But, the point is that people with serious mental illnesses should not be treated like lepers and be forced to hide in the closet. It goes without saying that those with leprosy should never have been treated the way they were and we should not now treat those with schizophrenia in the same cruel and uncaring manner.

In her book, “Brave New Brain”, noted psychiatrist Nancy Andreason says; “losing a child by suicide may be the most painful experience a person can have. But observing how schizophrenia invades the personality and mental skills of an adolescent or young adult also causes nearly unbearable pain to both the young person and his family”.*

These victims of a biological illness should be able to hold their heads up and not be ashamed that they are ill. It is not their fault nor is it the fault of their families that they have a disorder of the brain. Their families, in fact, should be able to get support and sympathy from others for the pain that they suffer. Additionally, society should be protected from people who are capable of being a threat when not properly treated by ensuring that those in need of treatment do in fact get the treatment that they deserve and that will help them.”

The book is recommended by the World Fellowship for Schizophrenia and Allied Disorders. SZ Digest Magazine said the book is “a powerful resource for anyone looking for answers and insight into the world of mental illness.”

To read more, you can read samples online at: www.bridgeross.com

The books is available in e-book formats for Kindle, Kobo, Nook and via the Apple I-book store and Google Play. You can buy hard copies at Amazone, Chapters/Indigo, Barnes and Noble as well as from any other bookseller with titles from Ingram Publishers.

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